Part of our TOTAL CLEAN process is ensuring we sanitize high touch surface areas:
Hyre N Drive employees are required to follow best practices recommended by leading health authorities, including the CDC. These practices include:
Anybody who plans on driving our vehicles must meet the following requirements:
*Please note: If you would like to save time at pickup please send in a picture of your license and your proof of automotive liability and collision insurance via your declarations page in response to your confirmation email or send them directly to info@hyrendrive.com with your reservation number as the subject line. If you have any questions regarding our requirements, you can send us an email at info@hyrendrive.com.
Some credit cards offer collision coverage for rental cars. Before relying on your credit card for coverage make sure it provides the coverage you need:
Always check with your card issuer before relying on their coverage. Don’t let this happen to you.
We do not offer on-site parking for your car, and can not store your vehicle while you rent ours (there are time where we don’t have enough parking for OUR vehicles!). However most of our locations have parking facilities located nearby. If you need parking during your rental please contact us and we will do our best to assist you in identifying a location nearby.
We are absolutely crazy about maintaining our vehicles, but we can’t do it alone: we need your help! On longer rentals (one week or more) we require that all of our renters get a safety inspection and oil change every 10,000 miles (or earlier if indicated by the vehicle’s computer). Renters who drive over this mileage limit without getting the required inspection risk additional fees.
Other things you should know:
We provide a video screen and video game console with DVD support, controllers, and wireless headphones in many of our vehicles as an amenity to our renters. If your vehicle has an in-van entertainment system we will do everything in our power to make sure it is in working order. Every system is tested twice before every rental: once when the vehicle is returned, and again in your presence when you arrive to pick it up. If you find that something is not working properly during your rental, please contact us. We have found reported problems are often due to simple user error, or only require a quick fix. However if repairs are required we will do everything in our power to get it repaired, and we will schedule a trip to the nearest technician at your earliest convenience. With that being said: road vibrations, weather and even misuse can all contribute to the entertainment system malfunctioning. Due to the fact that the typical malfunction is beyond our control we only offer repair and/or replacement of the system at our expense, and we do not offer discounts or other compensation due to entertainment system malfunctions.
We provide power outlets for the game systems and your personal use. However please keep in mind that these do not supply unlimited power. If you plug too many devices, or devices which consume too much power into our outlets you will either blow a fuse or even the entire inverter. Keep an eye on how many cell phone chargers are plugged into the system, and make sure you disconnect them from the power supply if your phone is fully charged. Often we run into problems when 5 or 6 people have each of their cell phone chargers plugged in, and then they plug in a couple laptops and wonder why it stops working. Most of our vans supply at least 1000 watts of power. This should be more then enough for normal day to day use. As with our AV systems we do not offer discounts due to power inverter failure, nor are we responsible for damage to anything you connect to the inverter. We will schedule repair or replacement of any malfunctioning inverter on the next business day.
We have tested every brand on the shelf before settling on the Tom-Tom units we currently use. These GPS units provide substantially better service than the refurbished/proprietary models you typically encounter at most rental car companies. On top of that we rent them for a fraction of what most rental companies charge. The nice thing about having a GPS unit is that you keep your hands free, there are no incoming calls or texts to disrupt the navigation, and don’t have to worry about getting a ticket (driving while holding a cell phone is a $271 ticket in California!). Our customers who have rented our GPS units have raved about them, so if you want to have one during your rental make sure you let us know when you make your reservation.
We offer mobile Internet WI-FI for your convenience. Wi-fi is delivered by 3rd party providers, and data is pay-as-you-go based on how much data you want (note: this is far superior to services like GoGo you see on airplanes that charge a flat fee per day and give you crap speed. What we offer is FAST and CHEAP). We are constantly identifying the best value out there, have switched vendors numerous times when better technology or rates became available, and specifically look for plans that offer the best possible rates to high consumption users. We do not mark-up this service at all, or take any commission on it. We want *you* to get the best possible rate. Since our vehicles go everywhere it is obviously impossible to guarantee service, coverage, reception or speed, but we pay a lot of attention to all of these factors, and are always optimizing for them. The carriers and providers are also constantly improving so our experience has been it just keeps getting better. Since Wi-Fi is provided by a 3rd party we do not offer discounts for any disruption in the service (the 3rd party vendor will handle any billing issues related to the Wi-Fi), but we will replace faulty equipment at our expense.
The wireless headphones and game controllers in our vehicles require AA batteries to operate. Installing brand new batteries with every rental would be environmentally (and financially) wasteful. As a result we do not supply new batteries with every rental, and encourage clients to bring their own AA batteries with them in case the batteries in the headphones or game controllers need replacement.
Should you ever need it, we have a 24 hour nationwide road service available to help you. The membership number and the 1-800 number are on your rental agreement. However please also call Hyre N Drive to let us know that you are having problems. We are very aggressive when it comes to making repairs, and we often have knowledge and experience that will get you rolling even before you get off the phone. So should you have any issues please contact us immediately at 310-606-9948 so we can help!
Every van has a spare tire. We do not allow you to self change the tire. You must call our tow service and have a tow truck driver come and change the tire. Please let our office know anytime you get a flat so we can arrange to have the spare replaced for you.
Our customers travel tens of millions of miles every year, and despite the extraordinary effort we put into vehicle maintenance, there are occasionally moments where maintenance or repairs will be necessary. Should a mechanical repair be necessary during the course of your rental, please be assured that we will pay or reimburse for all mechanical repairs, provided that the repair is not due to misuse of the vehicle, or collision with a foreign object. But you must call us and let us know what is going on so we can help you take care of it promptly. Repairs over $75 require our approval before they can be initiated (this is as much for your protection as ours: we’ve encountered some shady mechanics out there.).
You must follow our instructions regarding maintenance and repairs, regardless of the effect it may have on your schedule. Sorry, but safety comes first. Failure to follow our instructions voids our agreement, and any CDW we have provided you with, and may result in us reclaiming our vehicle at your cost. If we feel something is unsafe, we have the final word. Yes we care a tremendous amount about your schedule, probably more than any other vehicle rental company in the world, but we cannot knowingly allow anyone to compromise their safety (or anyone elses). Your life and your health are the most important things in our vehicles.
After hours: If your mechanical issue occurs after hours and we are closed, we have a 24 hour nationwide tow service that will tow the vehicle to the nearest mechanic (see the section above about Tow Service). In most places mechanics are all closed after 5pm anyways, so there isn’t much anybody can do until the morning. Leave a message on our voicemail and we will help you first thing in the morning. Go to a hotel and get some sleep. Watch TV. Relax. Being stressed out isn’t going to help. Wake up fresh in the morning and we will help you get moving as soon as possible.
In the event of a serious mechanical malfunction*: We will make every effort to get you back on the road as soon as possible. Should repairs require the vehicle stay at the repair shop overnight we will issue vouchers for up to two (2) hotel rooms at a convenient nearby hotel (note this must be cleared with us prior to booking the hotel room). In the event that repairs cannot be completed within two business days we will do one of two things:
We do not own teleportation devices. If you take your vehicle into the middle of the desert, deep into massive national parks, high into mountain ranges, way out to the boonies, or otherwise drive to locations far from major metropolitan areas, mechanics, parts, and tow trucks this will have a corresponding effect on our ability to get you moving quickly again if there is a problem. You assume this risk when traveling to remote, rural and/or isolated areas. We will still do everything we can to help you, but it will likely take longer to get repairs and/or parts. We are not liable for additional expenses you may incur as a result of your travel to remote areas (this includes expenses such as gas, miles, lodging, etc not otherwise provided for in our standard agreement). We are not bad people because of it, there’s just limits to what we can provide and still offer vehicles for rent at a reasonable price. Please have realistic expectations.
Prohibited use of our vehicle violates our rental agreement, voids all liability and other insurance coverage, and makes vehicle subject to immediate recovery by Hyre N Drive.
We do not sell, offer, or include travel insurance with your rental, and do not provide coverage for anything other than our van. If you need travel insurance we are happy to refer you to a travel insurance provider. Like every other vehicle rental company in the world Hyre N Drive is never liable for consequential losses or damages (including lost revenue, wages, etc) due to vehicle downtime under any circumstances, even if the downtime is due to our own fault or neglect.
Tickets and citations
The renter is responsible for all tickets, fines, fees, licenses, permits, taxes, or fines, required by or resulting from the renter’s use or operation of the vehicle. We strongly urge our renters to pay all tolls and violations as they generate them. We charge an administrative fee per transaction if we have to pay a toll or violation on your behalf (it’s not optional for us: if we don’t pay the toll our vehicle can be impounded).
Are you certain you generated a toll or violation?
We highly recommend visiting the website of the agency, and paying the toll before any late fees or additional charges are assessed. In some cases this can result in dramatically reduced charges if you pay within 72 hours.
We do not provide Transponders!
Our vehicles travel all over the country, often on one-ways. There are numerous different transponder systems. There is no practical way for us to maintain transponder accounts, and put transponders in our vehicles. Every vehicle would have to have several transponders and that is not practical to manage across a nationwide fleet.
Do you have your own Transponder?
Many of our renters like to use their own toll transponder (EZ-pass, Fastrak, I-Pass, etc.). However please be aware: it is fairly common for the transponder signal to not be picked up, resulting in a violation being generated. So our first bit of advice is to just leave the transponder at home and pay the tolls as they happen, and that way you can be certain all violations are paid for. That’s also the most secure way to be certain the violations are assigned to your transponder account. But if you really want to bring the transponder with you (and we understand if you do) then we strongly recommend double checking to make sure the transponder was activated every time you go through a toll, and if it doesn’t activate then you should take steps to make sure the violation is paid for.
To pay a violation or assign it to your transponder account you will need to contact the toll agency that provided you with the transponder and get specific instructions from them on how to assign the violation to your account. We provide the license plate number on your rental agreement, so you can even follow up with them after your trip. Most agencies will let you pay a toll for a rental vehicle online using your transponder account provided you follow up quickly enough. Some authorities will even let you add a specific vehicle if you are going to be in the same one for a while. The difficulty level does vary by agency. Obviously we can’t control how the tolling agencies run their operations, and we completely get how frustrating it is that they aren’t more accommodating, but we’re stuck in the middle here: if the violation isn’t paid we can wind up having our vehicle impounded.
I just got a notice from a rental I had a lonnnnng time ago. What’s up with that?
We often don’t receive notices from tolling agencies until months (and in some cases years) after the rental completed. Some agencies don’t mail any notices at all until there are three or more violations on the vehicle. Other agencies send their out-of-state vehicle violations to a separate department that is usually severely backlogged, so we won’t get the notice in a timely manner. We are just as frustrated as you about this, but you are still liable for any violations you incurred during the rental, no matter how long ago they were.
Hyre N Drive requires a credit card for payment. Debit and Prepaid cards must be pre-approved by Hyre N Drive , and may require an additional deposit. Please be advised when using a debit card, special conditions may apply, so please read all the conditions below.
All rentals require a $100 deposit. If you cancel your reservation within 48 hours before your scheduled pick-up time, we charge a cancellation fee of $100.
If you need to cancel your reservation for any reason, please call us at 310-606-9948 or email us at info@hyrendrive.com
Things to have ready
Please Remember: We are holding a specific vehicle for you, and unlike many rental companies we do not overbook. For that reason all reservations require a deposit. Rentals cancelled on the day of the reservation or afterwards will be charged for the entire reservation. Payment in full is due at the time of pickup, unless other payment arrangements have been approved by Hyre N Drive’s billing team. ALL CANCELLATIONS WILL BE FOLLOWED WITH A CONFIRMED CANCELLATION NOTICE SENT VIA EMAIL. IF YOU HAVE REQUESTED A CANCELLATION AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED A CANCELLATION EMAIL FROM US PLEASE CONTACT US IMMEDIATELY.
Any client wishing to extend their reservation during the rental must call Hyre N Drive Headquarters and have such extension authorized. The entire estimated balance for the updated reservation will be charged before the extension is approved.
Fuel consumption is one of the biggest controllable expenses when you are on tour. Factors such as speed, tire pressure, and a clean air filter, can all have a very large impact on fuel consumption. For example there is a 20% difference in fuel consumption between 65mph and 80 mph. Over an entire tour this can translate into hundreds of dollars saved simply by driving the speed limit, and this also can greatly diminish the amount of carbon that is emitted into the atmosphere.
Tire pressure not only affects gas mileage, it affects safety. Check your tire pressure regularly. If you have questions regarding the proper pressure to inflate the tires, please call Hyre N Drive.
Wearing your seatbelt can reduce the odds of a fatality from 72% to 20%. Please wear your seat belts at all times when the vehicle is moving!
According to the NHTSA, most rollovers are due to driver error. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with these safety tips:
For more information on preventing rollovers and safe driving please visit the Safer Car website.
In the event of an accident, no matter how large or small, we require that you notify us immediately. We will provide you with an accident report form, which must be completely filled out and and either emailed or faxed back to us at 1-310-606-9948.
Hyre N Drive proudly offers the ability to deliver and retrieve your van. In order to qualify for delivery, your reservation must meet the following criteria.
Due to traffic and other elements of delivery beyond our control, we cannot guarantee a specific delivery time. Fees are inclusive of all costs including driver pay, per diem, fuel, return airfare, tolls, taxi’s, hotels, vehicle depreciation, and all other incidental expenses.
If your reservation qualifies, please give us a call at 310-606-9948 option 1 to discuss the possibility of delivery or retrieval of your Hyre N Drive van!
Are you planning a trip for an Elementary, Middle or Junior High, or High School team or club?
Please make note that our vans do not meet Federal Bus Safety Standards and can not be used to transport children in the twelfth grade or younger for school related functions.
Q: May schools purchase or lease new 15-passenger vans?
NHTSA: The Safety Act (SAFETEA-LU) prohibits a school or school system from purchasing or leasing a new 15-passenger van if it will be used significantly by or on behalf of the school or school system to transport pre primary, primary, or secondary school students to or from school or related events, unless the van complies with FMVSSs prescribed for school buses or MFSABs (multi-function school activity buses). A school in violation of this requirement may be subject to substantial civil penalties under the Safety Act.
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Non-conforming Vans Used for School Transportation
School buses, including multifunction school activity buses (MFSABs) provide significantly safer alternatives to the use of non-conforming, full-size vans for transporting school students. The following NASDPTS Position Paper, “Non-conforming Vans Used for School Transportation” provides information on the legal and risk management liabilities of using non-conforming vans in lieu of school buses for transporting students and recommends against such use.
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Non-conforming Vans Used for School Transportation
Public schools, public and private charter schools, and private schools are sometimes unaware of regulations and safety requirements affecting student transportation. Therefore, NASDPTS further recommends that state and local student transportation officials, state associations, insurance companies, van manufacturers, automobile dealers, and rental car companies fully inform schools regarding federal and state regulations prohibiting and recommending against the purchase and use of full-size vans to transport students and regarding the related safety liabilities.
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If you need hand controls due to disability, no problem, we’ll take care of you. Please make sure you let us know at least 72 hours in advance so we can make sure that the unit is present and that staff will be prepared. Hyre N Drive uses the PHC-3 Hand Control.
Burning Man is a popular event held in the Black Rock Desert in Nevada. While we do rent vans for use at Burning Man, we have special requirements that must be met to book your reservation: